Paul Kennedy Books

Called “Fascinating! An incredible book” by Oprah Winfrey, this beloved photography collection vividly portrays the look and feel of the human condition everywhere on Earth. In an unprecedented effort, sixteen of the world’s foremost photographers traveled to thirty nations around the globe to live for a week with families that were statistically average for that nation. At the end of each visit, photographer and family collaborated on a remarkable portrait of the family members outside their home, surrounded by all of their possessions; a few jars and jugs for some, an explosion of electronic gadgetry for others. This internationally acclaimed bestseller puts a human face on the issues of population, environment, social justice, and consumption as it illuminates the crucial question facing our species Can all six billion of us have all the things we want? “Material culture, laid bare in this way, is surprisingly intimate―and whets a persons appetite to see the world.” ― The Atlantic “This remarkable book vividly presents its own cross section of families today, with the energy and intimacy of a work of art for our times . . . This is a record of striking value. No time traveler could bring back a more valuable resource.” ― Scientific America “Striking.” ― San Francisco Chronicle

This study looks at the past 500 years to demonstrate that nations which became great powers declined as their growth rate slowed and their spending on defence continued to increase. The author explains how this can be eased or worsened by clever or short-sighted policy decisions.

"God and Ronald Reagan" made historian Paul Kengor one of the premier chroniclers of the life and career of the 40th president. Now, with "The Crusader," Kengor returns with the one book about Reagan that has not been written: The story of his lifelong crusade against communism, and of his dogged--and ultimately triumphant--effort to overthrow the Soviet Union.

There are few more moving experiences than for the silenced to be heard. Chrissie Foster is the mother who brought the rich and powerful Catholic Church to its knees over its global abuse of children, including two of her daughters, Emma and Katie. Like the Boston Globe's Spotlight team, she built an undeniable case in her first book, Hell on the Way to Heaven, which helped inspire Australian governments to hold world-leading inquiries. This is what happened next. Grieving the death of Emma and the catastrophic accident that left Katie largely using a wheelchair and unable to care for herself, and bullied by the Catholic Church, Chrissie Foster somehow found the strength to win and bring about changes in child safety that she hopes will last forever. From the cities and towns of Australia all the way to Rome, her tenacity and bravery to see justice delivered are unequalled. In this confronting account she explains the incredible battle she fought together with her husband, Anthony, and how she found the strength to continue even after his tragic and untimely death. Her ongoing activism inspires others to challenge once-powerful male-dominated institutions. In the face of horrifying adversity, Chrissie Foster has come through it to a place of peace.

A brilliant historical analysis and forecast of the rise and fall of empires from the sixteenth to the twenty-first centuries by a major contemporary historian. Illustrated with maps and charts.

About national and international power in the "modern" or Post Renaissance period. Explains how the various powers have risen and fallen over the 5 centuries since the formation of the "new monarchies" in W. Europe.

In this collection, a dozen scholars of international affairs consider the 20th century's recurring failure to construct a peaceful and stable international order in the wake of war. They reflect on the difficulties faced by governments as they sought to secure a world order.

A sweeping, lavishly illustrated one-volume history of the rise of American naval power during World War II

A look at Karl Marx and how his fascination with the devil influenced Marxism and his political writings. Examines Marx's antagonism to organized religion, particularly the Catholic Church